The Faithfull Maids Adventures,
The Mayd with diligence sought far and neer,
Through many a famous City, Town and Shire,
Untill such time shee had her Sweet-heart found,
Whose love to her did wonderously abound.
Tune is, Farewell St. Gyleses, etc.
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I Am fhe faithfull Damosill,
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that wandred up and down,
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To find out John my true love,
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in many a gallant Town,
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Though long time I have sought him,
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yet now I have him found,
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I will not lose his company,
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for threescore thousand pound,
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Then pray thee John,
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Sweet John,
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part not from mee,
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For Ile go through the world with thee.
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I have been in Scotland,
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as you may understand,
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And I have made three voyages,
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into Ireland,
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And I have been in Wales,
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and in Cornwall in the West,
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And all was for to find my John,
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whom I in heart love best.
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Then pray thee John, etc.
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Through London and through Bris-tow,
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and Gloster eke also,
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Through Exeter and Worcester,
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I wandred too and fro,
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Through Hereford and Shrewsbury,
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and Salisbury in Wiltshire,
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I went to find my true love,
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whom I do hold so dear.
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And now that I have
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found thee,
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part not from mee,
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for ile go through the world with thee
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I have travelled Essex,
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and I have been in Kent,
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Whereas both time and mony,
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to find my love I spent,
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Through Norfolk and through Suf-folk
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and famous Cambridge Shire
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And through fair Hartfort County,
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but could not find him there.
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But now I have, etc.
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I have been at Portesmouth,
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and I have been at Dover,
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and most of all the Cinqueport towns
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that are all England over,
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And since with such long journeys,
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I have made my self full weary,
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Now I have overtaken thee,
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I pray thee make mee merry.
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O sweet John,
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kind John,
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part not from mee,
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For Ile go through the world with thee
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The second part to the same Tune.
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ITh' first place John I pray thee,
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to finish up the strife,
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Take me to Church and wed mee,
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and make of me thy Wife
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And when that we are married,
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wee two will go to bed,
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Where thou so sure as snow is white
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shalt have my maydenhead,
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Then pray thee John,
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Sweet John,
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Part not from me
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For ile go through the world with thee
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Ith' second place I give thee,
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this much to understand,
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And if that thou art willing,
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to live in merry England,
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Ile here continue with thee,
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and bee thy faithfull wife,
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Ile comfort love and cherish thee,
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whilst Heaven affords me life,
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Then pray thee John etc.
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Or if that thou art minded,
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from England for to go,
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To France to Spain or Italy,
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ile march with thee also,
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And wheresoever thou goest Love,
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my wits I will contrive
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Ile venture mine own life and blood,
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to save my John alive.
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Then pray thee John etc.
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Ile toyle, ile work, ile labour,
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Ile take all kind of paines,
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And all the profit I can make,
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ile bring thee in the gains,
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Although the world be never so hard
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before ile see thee lack
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Ile pawn the very pettycoat,
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and smock from off my back,
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Then pray thee John etc.
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And thus sweetheart in plain terms
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I have told thee here my mind,
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Also my resolution,
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to what I am inclind,
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And therefore I intreat thee,
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to answer yea or no,
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Whether thou wilt be my faithfull friend,
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or else my mortall foe
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O pray thee John etc.
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If thou wilt loving be John,
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and grant mee my request,
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Above all women creatures
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then shall I think me blest,
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But if with scornfull eye, Love,
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thou seemest on mee to frown,
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My wofull life is ended and,
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my fortune all cast down,
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Then speak John etc.
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When as her own true lover,
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her mind did understand,
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With joy being allmost ravished,
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hee took her by the hand,
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And after salutation,
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the matter so was carried
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Hee lik'd of her and shee of him,
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and so they soon were married.
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Shee said sweet John,
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Loving John,
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Part not from mee,
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For ile go through the world with thee
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